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18. Processors-in-C

The document provides an overview of C Preprocessors, which transform code before compilation using directives that start with the '#' symbol. It details various types of preprocessor directives, including macros, file inclusion, and conditional compilation, along with examples and predefined macros. Additionally, it explains the purpose of less common directives like #undef and #pragma.

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6 views

18. Processors-in-C

The document provides an overview of C Preprocessors, which transform code before compilation using directives that start with the '#' symbol. It details various types of preprocessor directives, including macros, file inclusion, and conditional compilation, along with examples and predefined macros. Additionally, it explains the purpose of less common directives like #undef and #pragma.

Uploaded by

learnsmarttelugu9346
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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C Programming

Topperworld.in

C Preprocessors

 The C Preprocessor is a micro processor that is used by compiler to


transform your code before compilation.
 It is called micro preprocessor because it allows us to add macros.
 All preprocessor directives starts with hash # symbol.

 Let's see a list of preprocessor directives.


 #include
 #define
 #undef
 #ifdef
 #ifndef
 #if
 #else

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C Programming

 #elif
 #endif
 #error
 #pragma

Types of Preprocessor Directives:


1. Macros
2. File Inclusion
3. Conditional Compilation
4. Other directives

1. Macros
 A macro is a segment of code which is replaced by the value of macro. Macro
is defined by #define directive.
 Macros are pieces of code in a program that is given some name. Whenever
this name is encountered by the compiler, the compiler replaces the name
with the actual piece of code.
 The ‘#define’ directive is used to define a macroThere are two types of
macros:

1. Object-like Macros
2. Function-like Macros

 Object-like Macros
The object-like macro is an identifier that is replaced by value. It is widely used
to represent numeric constants.

 Function-like Macros

The function-like macro looks like function call.

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C Programming

C Predefined Macros
ANSI C defines many predefined macros that can be used in c program.

No. Macro Description

1 _DATE_ represents current date in "MMM DD YYYY" format.

2 _TIME_ represents current time in "HH:MM:SS" format.

3 _FILE_ represents current file name.

4 _LINE_ represents current line number.

5 _STDC_ It is defined as 1 when compiler complies with the ANSI


standard.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {

printf("File :%s\n", __FILE__ );


printf("Date :%s\n", __DATE__ );
printf("Time :%s\n", __TIME__ );
printf("Line :%d\n", __LINE__ );
printf("ANSI :%d\n", __STDC__ );

When the above code in a file test.c is compiled and executed, it produces the following
result −
Output:
File :test.c
Date :Jun 2 2012
Time :03:36:24
Line :8
ANSI :1

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C Programming

2. File Inclusion
 This type of preprocessor directive tells the compiler to include a file in
the source code program.
 The #include preprocessor directive is used to include the header files in
the C Program.

3. Conditional Compilation
 Conditional Complation is a type of directive that helps to compile a
specific portion of the program or to skip the compilation of some specific
part of the program based on some conditions.
 There are the following preprocessor directives that are used to insert
conditional code:
 #if Directive
 #ifdef Directive
 #ifndef Directive
 #else Directive
 #elif Directive
 #endif Directive

4. Other Directives
Apart from the above directives, there are two more directives that are not
commonly used. These are:
 #undef Directive
 #pragma Directive

1. #undef Directive

The #undef directive is used to undefine an existing macro.

2. #pragma Directive

This directive is a special purpose directive and is used to turn on or off some
features. These types of directives are compiler-specific, i.e., they vary from
compiler to compiler.

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